First Visit

When & What Is My Child’s First “Regular” Visit?

The first “regular” dental visit should be no later than your child’s first birthday. We will gently examine your child’s teeth and gums. X-rays may be taken (to reveal decay and check on the progress of your child’s permanent teeth under the gums). We may clean your child’s teeth and apply topical fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay. We will make sure your child is receiving adequate fluoride at home. Most important of all, we will review with you how to clean and care for your child’s teeth.

In an effort to improve the chances of your child having a positive experience in our office, we are selective in the use of words. We try to avoid using words that may scare the child due to previous experiences. We ask you to please support us by NOT USING negative words that are often used for dental care. Some examples include :

Do not use:

Needle or Shot

Drill the tooth

Pull the tooth out

Decay, Cavity

Examination

Explorer

Rubber dam

Gas

Child Friendly Choices:

Sleepy Juice

Clean the tooth or catch the sugar bugs

Wiggle the tooth so the tooth fairy can come

Sugar Bug

Counting teeth

Tooth counter or tooth checker

Raincoat

Magic air or ice cream air

This is intended to create a positive experience for your child. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us build an enjoyable atmosphere for your child.